OK, saw my Rhuemy today. I just love this DR. We went over my lab work and xrays from six weeks ago. Labs are all normal as is the xrays of my hands and feet, no erosion yet. He still believes I have some form of inflamatory arthritis, just not sure which one yet. He wants me to start Planquenil after my surgery on July 5th, he said he may add MTX later. He said that just having the hysterectomy alone could make my joint pain go away, something to do with the heavy bleeding and the bone marrow not being able to keep up. We'll see. I go back in 14 weeks unless something comes up and I need to see him sooner. I'm so glad he didn't suggest Prednisone,*I've lost 10 pounds since I saw him last, six weeks ago* even though I''m swollen and sore today. He asked on the pain scale where I was and I'm at a seven or so the past few days. All I've done is sleep and be a couch potatoe. What's killing more than anything I think is not being able to take Ibuprofen because of the surgery. He told me to take it easy between now and July, so that my joints don't flare, yeah right, take it easy?? I'm tired of taking it easy... I want to play for the next two weeks, before I'm down for 3-4. Hmmmphhhhhhhhhhhh my day to bitch I guess. I'm going to try and get some gardening done today, even if it kills me, which it just might. So you have about 2 weeks to get through before your surgery? Don't push too hard so that they have to postpone. Once it's done, it sounds like you can get aggressive about whatever's going on. I understand that waiting is hard - but take care of yourself!! Thanks Fiona! I will take care enough if it drives me nuts, I need to get as healthy as I can, this past year has been hell. I'm just glad I'm able to have the summer to take of this stuffs!! OK reading up on the Plaquenil. Doesn't sound like fun stuff after a while. Has to be better than this joint pain and fatigue. I slept almost all day yesterday...
Terinski,
I've been taking Plaquenil for almost two years. As far as side effects, the only thing I noticed was nausea for the first two weeks. I have a friend that has been taking it for Lupus for about the last 15 years. She recently developed some major problem with one of her eyes. They never said it was related to the Plaquenil, but I'm thinking...... maybe?
Plaquenil gave me the trots---fun---doc took me off after 3 weeks. It wasnt enough to make me lose any weight though. Darn it.Teri,
Before I had my hysterectomy, my health was really drug down. Once you have yours, I bet you see a drastic change. I sure did. And, the recovery time afterwards is not bad at all. The worst day is the surgery. It's all up hill from there.
I just wish it was sooner. It's okay to sleep and rest right now. You will have more energy after the surgery and they won't want you just lying around anyway. They make you get up and start moving right away after your surgery.
Hysterectomy was one of the best things ever happened to me. Then, if they can start you on some medications for your RA, you might regain so much of what you've lost.
I don't have any problems with the Plaquenil. I just have to get my eyes checked regularly. If problems develop, they just take you off of it.
Thanks All! The RD said he is sorta amazed how the two tie into together, the menstrual problems and joints. I do hope it helps in that aspect as well, but mostly just looking forward to no more menstrual pain that sends me to the ER!!!Hi
Deanna is right: I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago, aged 35, (due to severe pain) and I have never regretted it. I was a new woman!
I had never thought of there being any health link to my arthritis, but who knows?!
All the very best for your surgery,
Terinski, hoping that all goes well for you. It's so hard to have RA and then put female problems on top of it too. Will keep you in my prayers.
I do think there is a link in my case. I had endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease which I couldn't figure out how I got that. I also had tubal infections from right after my first pregnancy. I often wonder if that wasn't the beginning of the inflammation that led to the RA.
But again, getting the surgery was wonderful for me.
Deanna, I had PID about 13 yrs ago. That's when they found the PCOS and the cysts on my thyroid. I just assumed it was caused from my ex having fun out side the marriage. My PCOS and cysts on my thyroid just went away after a few years.I thought the same thing about the PID. But now, in retrospect, I wonder.
Boy, solving your pain problem is tough. For your female pain, my doctor suggested lots of sits baths, soaking in a hot tub of water.
In fact if you can get in a jacuzzi, this would really help you a lot. Alternating between a pool and jacuzzi really does help. Can you use any of the sports cremes. I know some of them contain aspirin, but other's don't. I would be reaching for anything I could rub into my skin that won't affect the surgery.
I definitely would be living with heating pads, an electric blanket or ice depending on which felt best.
Oh, and a massage might help. If you can afford a massage therapist, I think they are around , it can help with the pain and it's not medicine. If there is a massage school in your area, you can get it for much less.
If you can't do that, then pick up some massage oil and get one of your kids to rub in on areas that hurt the most.
What are your worst areas right now? There might be more things I can think of if you are more specific.
Distraction is something I use a lot. Working on a project does it, being creative, spending time with my kids, talking on the phone with friends.
I also give myself goals to reach. Usually these goals are associated with getting to take something for pain. But sometimes, I find that I don't always take something for pain when I reach a goal. For instance, I will tell myself that when I am done with this task, then I get a pain pill, watch favorite program, lay down and rest, have a popsycle, eat some water melon. I'm giving myself some kind of treat for surviving the pain.
The other thing, which you probably cannot do, it to be as unconcious as possible. Maybe they could give you some sleeping pills for a few days to make it more bearable. When my daughter had her gall bladder surgery, they had to take her off a lot of her psych meds. They gave her Ativan to keep her calm. I thinking that calling your doctor and asking for something that helps you rest might be useful and not interfere with the surgery.
Elevate your feet and legs if they are swelling. Use a parafin bath if it's your hands. If your feet hurt, soak them in hot water.
Try to do some range of motion with each part of your body, being as gentle as possible. It it really hurts, stop. But if you can keep motion rotating through your body, it helps interrupt the pain.
It's too bad you don't have a tens unit. That is not a drug and it does interrupt pain signals to your brain. It's possible they could fit you with one quickly if you really pushed. Unlikely, but possible. Ultrasound feels good. But that's a trip to the physical therapist.
However, I know you are pulling at straws right now. When I reach the point of surgery again, I don't if I'm going to be able to cope.
Oh, I do wish this was over for you. I sure hope at least one of these suggestions will give you some relief. I cannot wait to hear how you do afterwards though.
Good luck. I really feel for you.
Right now it's my hands, feet and elbows. I do use bags of frozen vegetables on my hands which feels good cause it's hot here. Not as hot as you are, but hot for me none the less. I'm not having pelvic pain cause the dr was wonderful and gave me a med that has just stopped all that stuff until the surgery. I can just feel myself going down hill fast since I'm off all meds, I can take Vicoden if need be, which I'm sure I'll be resorting to.I already resort to Vicodin. I'm on 2-3 per day. For what you are doing, a short time on Vicodin is not going to be a problem unless it makes you too loopy. Be sure to not drive on it for at least a couple of hours. You can get a DUI. So, I wait until I'm already at work or at home for the evening. In your case, I would not hestitate to use it to help you get through this.
Also, benadryl at bed time will make you sleepy and is non addictive.
I really would try one of the sports cremes. I know that they seem old fashioned, but they truly do help. They make the capisin (has a hot pepper in it) one that probably wouldn't cause any problems with your surgery. Here's where your pharmacist might be a great deal of help. I can't hand the capisin one's because they really burn me. But other people get great relief from them. Just try it on a small area first to see how you like it. It's not very expensive.
You can get those wrap around ice packs for your elbows.
I use both heat and ice and that's also what my physical therapist recommended even though I was really swollen. I know the parafin baths really helped the pain in my hands.
If the ice helps, then send the kids for a whole bag of it, stuff it in multiple plastic bags and surround yourself with it.
For heat, I also put a bag of regular rice in the microwave for one minute and put where it hurts. I like this because I can move it around. It's better to put it in a sock or wrap a towel around it so you don't get burned.
Teri-I thought I was the only one who resorted to grabbing the frozen peas for pain relief!LOL not a chance!! My mom does it too After my daughter was born I had opted not to breast feed. So I had to suffer through the milk comming in and not being able to do anything about it. I was full engorged for about 3 days. I walked around with frozen veggies on my bowling ball boobs the whole time!LOL Dinner anyone!! :) I don't want your peas. Especially the way Crunchy using them.Creamed Peas not one of your favorite huh? Don't blame ya!! Teri, Before my surgery they told me that I couldn't take my Advil but the pain was so bad and I couldn't take it anymore, I took my Advil!!!! I just stopped taking it the last three days before surgery and when I did take it, it was every 8 hrs on a lower dose. (400 mgs) It wasn't perfect but at least I could tolerate the pain. The day of surgery, I couldn't wait until they gave me my pre-opt. meds to relax me.